...Pyrotechnic substances are also routinely used in airbags, signal flares and even in the production of nanoporous metal foams, in order to act as hydrogen storage devices energy or catalysts. They are usually composed of an oxidizer and a reducing agent which, when lit, react violently, producing a rapid expansion of the original volume of material, thus an explosion. Depending on the purposes for which they are used, pyrotechnics may contain certain amounts of substances, such as binding agents, coloring agents and so on, which are also severe pollutants.
During the explosion phase, a mix of multiple heavy elements such as lead, barium chromium and others, is released into the atmosphere. Until now, not many people thought about the consequences, except maybe a handful of scientists working to find friendly alternatives. One of these would be the use of nitrogen-rich compounds, as opposed to classical pyrotechnic substances which rely on oxidation processes, nitrogen ones extract the energy of the blast from the high heats of formation released during substance decomposition.
Tetrazoles and tetrazines are just two of the candidates for the next generation of explosives. Flame coloring agents could be replaced by aminotetrazole that contains non-toxic elements such as lithium, sodium, cesium, to determine a broad range of colors. The only problem encountered with colors for now is that there is no substitute for green...MORE
Why is it always green? I seem to recall that European dressmakers had trouble with green. One of the pre-aniline greens was made from arsenic, the poisoning from same tended to reduce its popularity.
The discoverer of the first synthetic dye, young Mr. Perkins came up with a green, a decade after he blessed the world with mauve, which he modestly named Perkin's Green.
I have a vague recollection of a story about Empress Eugenie causing a stir when she wore a green gown to the opera. Then as the world switched from gaslight to electric there was more trouble with green. Enough with our stroll down the runway. I'll leave off with some pictures:
Here's the shack the Empress lived in after she and Napoleon III were asked to leave France
It's now a golf course club house.
Here's a pre-aniline green by some guy named Monet:
A post-aniline dress:
Here's TODAY's story (w/vid),
Mesmerizing green 'Atonement' dress
The dress was named Best Film Costume of All Time, by some people I've never heard of:
Atonement's green dress deserves all the accolades
Here's the list of the top ten
